Natalka, Benedict and Edwin are approached about the death of a romance author by the woman’s daughter: she is convinced that her mother’s much younger second husband deliberately killed her in order to gain ownership of her large house, despite the fact that the death was attributed to a heart attack. As it happens, a couple of other writers have also recently died, and one of Benedict’s former colleagues at the seminary suspects that one of them was also murdered. Because the various authors had all visited a weekend writing retreat before their deaths, Edwin and Benedict go undercover to the retreat to see what they can see, but what they find is another dead writer, presumed a suicide but subsequently deemed suspicious. The investigating officers, knowing that they know DI Harbinder Kaur, agree to accept their help in solving the case, but are the deaths even connected? And then another death occurs…. This is, I think, the fourth book in the Harbinder Kaur series, although she herself is barely in the story this time, except to save the day of course. Nevertheless, the three co-leads (to whom we had previously been introduced in earlier books) are quite entertaining characters - Edwin in his late 80s but still spry, Benedict the ex-monk now working as a coffee shop owner and Natalka, the beautiful Ukrainian care-giver and sleuth who loves Benedict, are all interesting and believable, especially Natalka who is navigating life in Britain with her refugee mother while her younger brother is fighting in the just-begun war there (the book is set in 2022). I’d always love to have more Harbinder, possibly London’s only lesbian Sikh police detective, but I will take whatever I can get about her, or really about any character written by Elly Griffiths. Some people have difficulty with Ms. Griffiths’ writing style, which tends to the third-person present tense, but I just become completely absorbed in her storytelling and don’t even notice that authorial choice anymore. Recommended! ( )

Elly Griffiths is one of my favorite authors. And though I'll never stop missing the Ruth Galloway books, I have found some new favorites. You can meet some of them in Elly Griffiths' new book - The Last Word.

DS Harbinder Kaur from The Postscript Murders is back - but in a supporting role this time around. Instead we're with the two owners of the K and F Detective Agency - eight four year old Edwin and Natalka, who also runs a carer business. Oh, and her boyfriend Benedict steps in when needed as well. Amateur sleuths? Yes - but they're very clever and dogged in their search for answers and results. Griffiths has created a set of new players that I really, really like. I must admit to having a favorite already with Edwin. As readers, we are privy to their inner dialogue and that really rounds out the characters.

The case itself is a murder. Or a possible murder. It's hard to say. So that's where the sleuthing starts. But Benedict sees a possible connection to something he's found. And the answers may be found at a creative writing weekend. There are many, many choices for the whodunit. I must admit to losing track as to who was who at times. But, there are updated clue lists as the investigation progresses that help.

Everything is tied up nicely be the end of the book. But the door is open for more of this crew - and I'll be watching for the next book. ( )

The more Elly Griffiths writes, the more I admire her skill and artistry. When I learned that The Last Word would be a return to Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin-- characters last seen in The Postscript Murders-- I couldn't wait to read it, and it certainly did not disappoint.

Readers get to experience the story from the points of view of the three main characters: Natalka, an Eastern European caregiver who runs a detective agency on the side; her live-in boyfriend, Benedict, a former monk who runs a coffee shop at the beach; and Edwin, a former BBC employee who's on the far side of seventy. Natalka's life has been further complicated by her mother moving in and the news that her brother is in the army fighting in Ukraine. Is it any wonder that she wants a big, juicy investigation to take her mind off her worries?

The Last Word takes us into the worlds of writing retreats, book clubs, authors, and obituary writing. I love how Griffiths ties her story and characters into the here and now of our everyday world by mentioning things like the song "Jolene", a television series called "The Repair Shop", Goodreads ratings, and even tennis legends Federer and Nadal.

Harbinder Kaur is tangential to the story. She appears only a few times to give Natalka, Benedict, and Edwin advice even though she really doesn't want to become involved because "Authors, in Harbinder's experience, mean trouble."

I was enjoying myself immensely, but when all the pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place, I actually crowed with delight at the unveiling of the mystery's complete construction. (And you'll rarely hear me crow.) What a wonderful story peopled with characters who seem actual flesh and blood! Do yourself a favor. Get your hands on a copy of this book, sit back, and savor. ( )

Elly Griffiths has rapidly become one of my favourite authors, and this book exemplifies why. She creates engaging and highly plausible characters, whom she then places in intricate (yet always credible) plots. Natalka, who first appeared in [The Postscript Murders], which was published a few years ago, is one of my favourite fictional characters of recent years. Beautiful, Ukrainian and resourceful, she had been working as a carer at the start of that earlier novel, although she had also amassed a considerable fortune through her mastery of bitcoin, although this had caused significant problems for her in the past.

Following the events related in [The Postscript Murders], she is now managing the carers’ agency that had previously employed her. She is living in Shoreham with ex-monk Benedict (who runs a coffee shop on the beach, known for the high quality of its drinks), although their apartment now feels cramped as her mother, Valentyna, has fled war-torn Ukraine and moved in with them. But Natalka has other strings to her formidable bow. She has also set up a detective agency, which she runs with Edwin, an octogenarian and former presenter on BBC Radio 3 (the classical music station), who had also feature in the previous book. Most of their cases have revolved around instances of suspected infidelity, at which Edwin has proved unexpectedly adept. He relies on the tendency of younger people generally to overlook older people in their vicinity, which has enabled him to become proficient at tailing the subjects of his investigations,

They are, however, delighted when they receive a more challenging commission, to investigate the sudden death of a celebrated author. As Natalka and Edwin delve into the available material, they uncover possible links to the deaths of other writers This leads to Edwin and Benedict (not technically part of the agency, but always willing to lend a hand) to enrol in a nearby writers’ retreat, which had also hosted several of the dead writers.

Elly Griffiths marshals her material adroitly, and also takes the opportunity for some insights, and perhaps in-jokes, about the writing community. The plot is intricate, with numerous twists, and unforeseen tangents, and the characters are excellently drawn. Edwin is portrayed exquisitely, and the contrast or comparison between him and Benedict is beautifully managed. Indeed, she is wonderful at creating unorthodox characters, and imbuing them with a deep verisimilitude. Literary prejudices are hard to shift, but should always be challenged. If I had known before embarking on Griffiths’ wonderful series of novels following Dr Ruth Galloway that one of the characters was a cloak-strewn modern Druid, I think I would have passed, and moved to another author. However, it is difficult now to imagine those books without the marvellous character of Cathbad. Similar reactions to the prospect of a former monk as protagonist would have robbed me of the joy of reading about Benedict, with all his failing confidence.

I have enjoyed all of Elly Griffiths’ books, and am additionally impressed at the speed with which she produces them. She seems to have published two books a year for several years now, without any suggestion of such prolific output compromising the high standard. I hope we get to read more about Natalka and Co very soon. ( )

Edwin and Natalka have set up a detective agency following their previous success at solving crime and are approached to look into the suspicious death of a wealthy writer. At the same time Benedict is approached by a former colleague regarding the death of vicar with a sideline in romantic fiction. As they investigate the friends find that there is a link to these deaths, and several others, around a writers' retreat so Edwin and Benedict pose as aspiring authors and go along for a weekend.
Elly Griffiths is a favourite author of mine. I find her books both stimulating and also very easy to read. this is the second featuring a disparate group of characters based in Shoreham and it really showcases what cosy crime should be about. Gently humorous but with that edge of having a really great plot. It doesn't patronise, it educates and it entertains. Just a wonderful read. ( )